Astaroth's sudden arrival surprised Silent Light, but even more so his reaction.
"Whoa, dude, calm down!"
"I'd kiss you on the mouth if I didn't think Phoenix would incinerate the both of us! Thank you! Thank you a million times!"
Standing next to them was an emotional Korin, whose eyes could see for the first time in months, tears streaming down them. Standing on his own two feet, he looked down at his regrown limb, with his brand-new eyes, and he couldn't believe it.
Next to him, Aj'axx was stretching out a regrown arm, flexing a limb he hadn't seen in months. His eyes were also foggy with tears, as he held back the urge to join in on Astaroth's hug.
Astaroth was still holding Silent Light tightly, the latter beginning to feel uncomfortable.
"Astaroth, let me go. You're embarrassing me."
"Oh! Sorry! I'm just so happy! I didn't know you could regrow limbs. When did you learn such a spell?"
Silent Light backed out of Astaroth's embrace, straightening out his clothes and clearing his throat.
"It's a spell I got with my class change. It's called Regenerate. At the cost of quite a bit of mana, I can regrow any body impairment as long as my target is still alive. It's a quick channel spell, which means I can also use it in combat, if undisturbed, for about five seconds."
Astaroth was amazed at all the goodies Silent had gotten from his class change. But right now, he was simply happy his family had their bodies returned to normal.
He noticed Kloud was in a corner of the camp, tears streaming down his face. His face looked like a huge part of his mental burden had just been lifted from him.
Giving a slight nod to him, Kloud smiled back, wiping away his tears.
But Astaroth had a reason for looking for Silent Light.
"Right! I came here to get you. Nemus offered to get us back home rapidly, so I came to get you. Did you have anything to get before we leave?"
Silent shook his head. All his stuff was already in his inventory, and he couldn't see anyone else who needed his attention in the shelter.
He had heard about the comrade these men had lost, and he cursed himself for not having a spell that could bring back the dead yet. He had yet to see online any mention of such a spell being discovered.
Astaroth turned to the rest of the refugees and decided he was going to offer them shelter, too.
Climbing on a nearby crate, he clapped his hands loudly to gather their attention. Most of them were already nearby, having been brought to attention by the cheering when Silent had started healing Aj'axx.
"I would like everyone's attention, please! Kloud, you too. Come nearer."
The ex-general walked up to the edges of the bonfire's lighting.
"I know all of you have been through a rough past ten years. And I know you all want to go back to the village, to resume your quiet lives there. But the village is no more, and I don't know how safe you would be there."
Aberon, who looked more tired than his usual self, knocked his staff on the ground once.
"What is your point, aside from discouraging us, young man?"
"Yes, my apologies. I wish to offer you all refuge in my kingdom, away from all this danger, where you will be treated well. I know this is your home, but you could make your home there, too. But the decision lies with you all."
A woman walked forward, her eyes filled with worry.
"What would wait for us there? We have nothing. We left behind all we had in our village. How would we survive with nothing to our name?"
Astaroth understood her fears. Of course, he wouldn't bring them there to be stranded.
"I will make sure you are lodged, fed, clothed, and given enough money to retire peacefully if you so wish. If you want to work, I will make sure you can have any job you want to do and are qualified for."
The woman looked at him with a frown. She was one of those that had seen him when he first appeared in their village.
She was wondering how the young man would do so, with no influence. Astaroth could see the questions on her face.
"I can guarantee that you will not go lacking in anything. But if you wish to stay here, where you feel safe, I can also arrange that you stay safe and are furnished with anything you need to restart anew."
The woman's face changed to that of thought as she backed away into the crowd. Astaroth could see that many people were murmuring amongst each other, discussing if they should trust him or not.
Aberon and Kloud stepped forward, knowing the villagers would trust them more than him. Kloud spoke up first.
"I wish to remain here. I think my skills can and will be of use to rebuilding what we have lost."
Astaroth nodded to him, respecting his choice. Already, a few of the villagers started getting closer to Kloud, their intentions clear.
Aberon then walked next to Astaroth.
"As for myself, I see no reason to stay in this shit-hole. If the young man says he can get us settled, then I believe him."
Turning his eyes toward Astaroth, the old man gave a tired nod.
The village rapidly split up into two groups. The separation was clear, and the groups had two very different demographics.
Around Kloud, all the warriors of the village, that had worked with him for so long, as well as their families, agglomerated, followed by the young militia-men, who wanted to prove themselves brave.
The rest of them, the farmers and widowed women, grouped up around Astaroth and Aberon. Astaroth was a bit disappointed he couldn't bring back more fighters, but he understood their decisions and reasons.
Nodding his head to Kloud, he urged the surrounding people to gather their stuff and start walking up to the tree above. As they left to gather their meagre belongings, Astaroth walked over to Kloud's group.
"I have something I want to discuss with you and Aberon in private, if possible."
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